Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan Activate Middle Corridor Operations Through New Armenia Feeder Link

Hadisur Rahman, JadeTimes Staff

H. Rahman is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Business

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Image Source: Robert M Cutler, AsiaTimes

Presidents Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan met in Astana on October 21 to advance regional connectivity through the Middle Corridor. Their bilateral Supreme Interstate Council and business forum produced concrete outcomes, marking the transition from planning to coordinated operations across logistics, energy, digital, and industrial sectors.

The two leaders set a trade target of around one billion dollars and directed the activation of the Kazakhstan–Azerbaijan Direct Investment Fund to finance joint infrastructure projects. Sixteen sectoral agreements were signed, covering logistics, digitalization, and port development to support the corridor linking Central Asia to Europe.

Azerbaijan’s removal of cargo transit restrictions to Armenia enabled the first post-Soviet grain shipment from Kazakhstan to move via Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia. This new feeder link adds practical redundancy to the trans-Caspian network, transforming a theoretical route into an operational one.

Upgrades backed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development at Kazakhstan’s Aktau port and the synchronization of operations with Azerbaijan’s Alat port are central to improving reliability. Both countries are working to harmonize tariffs, streamline customs processes, and introduce interoperable IT systems for real-time cargo tracking.

The activation of the bilateral investment fund gives a structured base for financing port equipment, rolling stock, and vessel upgrades. By aligning funding schedules with project delivery windows, the initiative reduces execution risk and accelerates implementation.

The operational improvements and financing mechanisms are expected to stabilize schedules, lower shipping cost, and diversify routes between Asia and Europe. The development of the Armenia feeder link and the broader trans-Caspian segment strengthens the Middle Corridor as a viable, sanctions-resilient alternative to northern routes, enhancing regional trade resilience and economic cooperation across Eurasia.

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